The terms of us

Chapter four

Caius

She's standing there in that robe like she hasn't already decided to hate me.

"Marry you," she repeats, like the words don't fit in her mouth.

"That's the deal." I don't get up from the chair because I know that if I get up, I'll close the distance between us, and I don't trust myself not to do something stupid like touch her again. Last night was a mistake I don't regret, which is its own kind of problem. "You get to see Derek ruined. You get your name back. You get everything you think you lost tonight, and more. And I get a wife."

"Why me?" Her arms cross over her chest, robe pulled tight. "You don't know me. I don't know you.”

"I am Caius Rhon, and Iknow enough." I know she jumped off a bridge four hours ago. I know she came apart in my hands like she'd been waiting years for someone to let her. I know she counted out bills for me like I was a transaction to be settled and walked away clean. That last part, I haven't forgiven yet. Her eyes widens at the sound of my name. But j amd surprised as she doesn't inquire more about it.

"That's not an answer."

"My grandfather wants an heir before he dies. He's given me until the end of the year." I take a slow sip of wine I don't want. "You need a life that isn't the one currently on fire. It's a good trade."

"I'm not a broodmare."

"No," I agree. "You're a woman who tried to drown herself in a river three hours ago because a man who didn't deserve you married your sister instead. I'm offering you a way to make sure he spends the rest of his life regretting it. That's not nothing."

She flinches. "I'll figure something else out," she says, but her voice wavers slightly.

"Will you." I finally stand, and she takes a step back before she catches herself doing it. "You're what, twenty-four? A student. You gave up your degree for him. I read the wedding announcement and made my research, Vivienne, it was very thorough about your sacrifices for love. Where do you go tomorrow? Back your father who I saw slap you?” She freezes, but i don't stop, because I need it to stick. “Back to a mother who would probably support your father? You don't have much to your name any longer anyways. That's the whole inventory."

"Stop."

"I'll finish your degree.. I'll pay for it in any school you want. I'll put your name on buildings if that's what makes you feel like yourself again. I'll bury Derek's company so far in the ground his grandchildren will still be digging out. All you have to do is sign a piece of paper and wear a ring for as long as I need you to."

"And when you don't need me anymore?"

That one catches me off guard. I don't answer right away, and I watch her notice the pause.

"Then we'll renegotiate," I say, which isn't a real answer, and we both know it.

She's quiet for a long moment, looking at me like she's trying to find the trick in it. There's always a trick. She's not wrong to look.

"I don't like being managed," she says finally.

"I don't like being left." It comes out flatter than I mean it to, and I see something flicker in her eyes when it sounded like a threat. It wasn't only that. I don't like being left. The idea if it makes me want to punch something.

Faces flash in my head, and I feel my heart rate increase.

‘Just stay here, Cai. I'll be back soon, okay? Here.’ She hands me my favourite toy and I feel something bad is going to happen. I shake my head and stretch out my hands.

‘Please. Don't leave me here. Take me with you. I beg you.’ She smiles and looks at me.

Another flash.

Brown eyes. Sharp teeth smiling at me, eyes watery as a figure stood by the other side, tapping their foot impatiently. I begged her not to leave but she refused. She hadn't taken two steps away from me when a loud bang echoes in the air and—

I feel my teeth grind unconsciously and my grip tighten against my glass as a memory flashed in my head. I hiss quietly and turn around before she might notice.

Fuck. This can't…this can't be happening here. Right now.

“Are you okay?” Her tiny voice cuts through my haze, interrupting my thoughts from the smiley face in my head.

“Are you in or not? You don't have much time, Miss Sinclair,”

"Fine," she says.

I don't let my relief show as I turn slowly. "Fine?"

"I'll marry you."